Atlanta Spinal Cord InjuryAccident Law Firm

Generally, spinal cord injuries come in two types: complete and incomplete. The difference between these two types of SCIs is whether the spinal cord is partially or completely damaged.

• In an incomplete SCI, some—but not all—nerve signals can still communicate along the spinal cord to the brain.
• In a complete SCI, the brain no longer receives nerve signals from the rest of the body, resulting in paralysis below the point of injury.

Whether or not you can fully recover after a spinal cord injury depends on the severity of the injury and your recovery progress in the months following the traumatic event.

As a rule of thumb, if a patient is seeing improvement in the weeks and months after a spinal cord injury, they have a higher chance to fully recover.

In most cases, whether or not you can fully recover from your spinal cord injury depends on the effectiveness of your medical treatment, physical therapy, and rehabilitation, all of which cost quite a lot.

For this reason, it is imperative to obtain compensation for all your medical expenses and losses to be able to afford effective treatment and improve your chances for improvement.

Most spinal cord injuries happen due to a traumatic blow to the spine. There is a wide range of situations in which this type of damage may occur. Statistics show that the most common causes of SCIs in the United States are:

• Motor vehicle accidents, including car accidents—39.3 percent
• Falls—31.8 percent
• Violence—13.5 percent
• Sports—8 percent
• Medical-related—4.3 percent
• Other—3.1 percent

Regardless of what caused your spinal cord injury, you should consult with a skilled attorney to discuss how you can seek compensation for the expenses and damages in your specific case.

Yes, a spinal cord injury may affect other body parts and body functions. An SCI may lead to:

• Anxiety
• Bone loss
• Cardiovascular problems
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Muscle atrophy
• Obesity
• Physical pain
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Pressure sores
• Problems with bladder and bowel movement

An Atlanta spinal cord injury can take a toll on your life, which is why you should sue the person or entity whose negligence, intentional conduct, or other types of wrongdoing caused your injury to hold them liable for the resulting damages and losses.

Because a spinal cord injury is a life-threatening injury, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect that you suffered an SCI.

If a doctor confirms your spinal cord injury diagnosis, you will stay in the hospital for weeks or even months. Medical professionals will monitor your condition and administer the necessary diagnostic tests to identify the most effective type of treatment to help you recover faster.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), the average length of stay in the hospital with an SCI is 11 days.

The cost of treatment depends on the severity of your spinal cord injury. The more severe the injury, the costlier the treatment.

According to the NSCISC, the average yearly expenses in the first year of treatment range from over $550,000 for paraplegia to more than $1.1 million for high tetraplegia. These expenses include living expenses and medical bills.

Estimated lifetime costs for a 25-year-old diagnosed with high tetraplegia exceed $5 million. For people living with paraplegia, estimated lifetime costs reach nearly $2.5 million.

In addition to these costs associated with the treatment of a spinal cord injury, the injured victim may experience:

• Emotional distress
• Diminished earning capacity
• Loss of income
• And many other consequential damages and losses

Because of the tremendous expenses associated with spinal cord injuries, it is critical to be represented by an experienced attorney to help you pursue compensation for all your expenses, loss, and damages.

Yes, spinal cord injuries can be permanent, but not all of them are. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may experience temporary or permanent paralysis and loss of function, movement, and sensation.

However, with proper and timely treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation, you may be able to regain partial or complete control over the affected areas within months of treatment.

If a spinal cord injury goes untreated, it could result in permanent damage.